Monday 1 February 2010

The Domain, The Architecture of Bathing (Theme Day: Wood)

This mostly wooden artwork on the shore of Woolloomooloo Bay at the Domain is known as the The Architecture of Bathing by Robyn Decker, created in 1999. The monument reflects upon the cultural attitudes towards bathing in Sydney and also signifies tidal movements and the naval presence across the bay. It is located near the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool and opposite the Woolloomooloo wharf and Garden Island dockyards. A bathing machine was part of the attraction of the first ladies' baths which opened in this area in 1833 by Mrs Biggs, who was the wife of Governor Macquarie's coachman. The plaque reads: "The Woolloomooloo Bay shoreline has a long association with bathing. It is reported to have been used by the Cattigal people prior to and after European settlement and it is along this shore that Sydney's first baths were built. The Woolloomooloo baths nurtured some of Australia's greatest national and Olympic swimming champions. Between 1833 and 1955 this area of the Bay was the site of four separate ladies’ bathing establishments - Mrs Biggs’ Ladies Baths, Robertson's Ladies Floating Baths, the Corporation Ladies Baths and finally the Domain Baths for Ladies. This artwork traces the perimeter of the former Domain Baths for Ladies. The elements form a collage ... a floating jetty evokes the memory of the boardwalk and marks tidal changes ... a concrete path defines the poolside deck and changing cubicles ... a bathing machine is evoked by the stair, cage and portal frame to represent the closeted space of expected modesty associated with the early days of bathing...the portal frame of the bathing machine signals across the bay via the obsolete language of Morse code".
The message flashed in morse code and in print on the deck is: "Mrs Biggs even had a bathing machine to attract ladies".

16 comments:

  1. Wow, that is an impressive shot and the story that goes with it. Great post JBar! happy theme day!

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  2. excellent choice for theme day and very nice to see art incorporated into life this way. Also, I live the restaurants at Woolloomoolloo (sp?) wharf. there is nothing better than to si at a restaurant near sunset and watch the 20,000 bats leae the trees from the Royal Botanical gardens on one end of sydney and then fly to the left through the skyline of Sydney. It is one the most awesome things to watch. And you can see them for such a long time as they fly around the skyscrapers. truly an amazing sight. this would make a good you tube video for us one day to see from your great city.

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  3. That is a fascinating story - thanks for telling of it.

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  4. I learned something today! A great story well told and illustrated! Great choice for today's theme.

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  5. You know, I never heard of a bathing machine until just now. Now that I've googled and read about them, I can still hardly believe it. :)
    Thanks!

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  6. The text in this post is terrific, Jim, and I appreciate it very much. The history of this central part of our city is fascinating.

    I agree with the observaion of Scottsdale Julie re the bats leaving the RBGs at eveningtime. I just dont want them to roost anywhere near where I live or where I park my car!

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  7. I love the history of 19th century bathing practices and have linked your post to a post on Beach Huts and women's bathing machines. http://melbourneblogger.blogspot.com/2009/12/beach-huts-in-australia-and-britain.html

    Many thanks as ever

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  8. Can't believe I have never noticed that before. Maybe I always take the top path.

    I also enjoy watching the bats leave the RBG, tried to get some shots from the Domain concert a couple of weeks back but didn't have the zoom lens.

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  9. Wow, this is wonderful ... nice capture J Bar.

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  10. Water and Wood

    Probably the two ingredients of life that will always remain. A pleasure to touch them both.

    Very good entry of yours. Please have a nice new month and week as well.

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  11. Great public art at a beautiful place. I was on your other blog, and found the Cook murals very striking.

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  12. I've never even heard of a bathing machine before. Fascinating. Thanks for explaining the artwork. I wouldn't even have known it was an artwork if you didn't say so. ;)

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  13. Lovely perspective in this picture and interesting reading!

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  14. What an interesting post! And i love the photo too.

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  15. I think other web-site owners should take this web site as an model - very clean and magnificent style and design, in addition to the content. You're an expert in this area!

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Thanks for visiting my blog. Please leave me a message. Jim.

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